US Issues 'Do Not Travel' Advisory for 23 Nigerian States Amid Security Crisis
The United States government, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, has designated 23 Nigerian states as "Do Not Travel" destinations in a significant update to its travel advisory. This warning, issued on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, highlights severe security concerns across multiple regions of Nigeria, including Plateau and Kano states.
Expanded List Reflects Worsening Insecurity
In the updated advisory, US authorities added Plateau, Kwara, Jigawa, Taraba, and Niger states to the existing list of high-risk areas. This brings the total number of states where travel is strongly discouraged to 23, reflecting a broad escalation of security challenges throughout the country. The advisory cites widespread violent crime, including armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom, noting that US citizens are often perceived as wealthy and are frequent targets for such criminal activities.
Terrorist attacks remain a persistent threat across Nigeria, particularly in crowded locations such as markets, shopping centres, hotels, places of worship, and public gatherings. The advisory also describes Nigeria's healthcare system as limited and inconsistent, stating that medical facilities generally do not meet US or European standards, which could complicate emergency situations for travellers.
Specific Security Concerns in Plateau and Other States
Plateau State is experiencing a severe and persistent surge in insecurity, characterised by a mix of intercommunal violence, farmer-herder clashes, bandit-style raids, and kidnappings. This violence, often described as premeditated and having a component of land grabbing, has significantly crippled agricultural activities and local businesses, particularly in rural communities. The inclusion of Plateau and other states underscores the multifaceted nature of Nigeria's security crisis, which extends beyond traditional conflict zones.
The full list of states flagged by the US as 'Do Not Travel' destinations includes:
- Borno
- Jigawa
- Kogi
- Kwara
- Niger
- Plateau
- Taraba
- Yobe
- Adamawa (Northern sides)
- Bauchi
- Gombe
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Katsina
- Sokoto
- Zamfara
- Abia
- Anambra
- Bayelsa
- Delta
- Enugu
- Imo
- Rivers
Broader Context of Nigeria's Security Challenges
This travel advisory comes as Nigeria faces lingering security threats across its vast territory. Opposition leaders are piling pressure on President Bola Tinubu, less than a year before the end of his first term in office, over the country's spreading terrorism challenges. Nigeria is struggling with security problems including daring attacks by criminal gangs, an armed uprising in the northeast, and a spate of concerning assaults in the north.
Between February and April, at least 65 Nigerian soldiers were killed in jihadist raids across the country's north-east, as the West African nation battles to contain one of the world's deadliest terror groups. On March 5 and 6, gunmen from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) overran four military bases in Borno state, the epicentre of the insurgency, with reports indicating about 40 soldiers were killed in total in these attacks.
According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, 300 people, including women and children, were also abducted by ISWAP gunmen, who used sophisticated machinery, including anti-aircraft machine guns and drones, during the raids. These attacks follow a pattern of coordinated raids by jihadists in the country's north, which is being ravaged by an almost two-decade insurgency that spiked after the extrajudicial killing of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf in July 2009.
US Recommendations and Nigerian Government Response
The US State Department urged US citizens considering travel to Nigeria to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important updates. It also advised travellers to exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and establish personal safety and "proof of life" protocols. These measures are particularly important given the advisory's emphasis on the targeting of foreign nationals for kidnapping and violent crime.
In response to the broader security crisis, President Tinubu has declared an emergency on security training institutions in Nigeria. This decision follows assessments of the condition of training institutions for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and other internal security agencies. The move represents an attempt to address systemic issues in Nigeria's security apparatus amid growing international concern about the country's stability.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential elections, security remains a critical issue that will likely dominate political discourse and influence voter decisions. The US travel advisory serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Africa's most populous nation and the international community's growing apprehension about safety conditions for foreign visitors and citizens alike.
